Gloucester must learn lessons, insists coach
Updated on 06 September 2008
Dean Ryan wants his Gloucester squad to learn from the painful lessons of play-off failure as they prepare for another Guinness Premiership campaign.
His side face Leicester in the season opener, the team which dramatically ended Gloucester's title hopes last term.
Gloucester have finished top of the Premiership table three times in six seasons since play-offs were introduced to decide England's champion club.
But they are still waiting to win silverware following two Twickenham grand final defeats and an agonising semi-final exit four months ago courtesy of Tigers fly-half Andy Goode's drop-goal clincher.
Head coach Ryan said: "We must get back into the play-offs and show the lessons of previous years have been learnt.
"We have a nine-month campaign which have a lot of variables in, and we must finish that in the top four. Then we have the play-offs, where we must perform at a much higher level.
"We need more experience, and some of that comes from being a year older and learning from past mistakes."
Bristol, favourites for relegation along with Newcastle this term, start their season against fierce local rivals Bath at the Memorial Stadium.
Head coach Richard Hill fields summer signings Robert Sidoli, Adrian Jarvis and Junior Fatialofa, but Bristol could have their work cut out against last season's European Challenge Cup winners.
Newcastle, minus an injured Jonny Wilkinson, host Sale Sharks at Kingston Park, where the visitors will parade former Falcons star Mathew Tait in direct full-back competition to his younger brother Alex.
And newly-promoted Northampton open against Worcester, the club whose victory over Saracens last year consigned Saints to a season in National League One.
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